Really? At least, that’s what the film’s director Sanjay Khanduri wants us to believe

After a series of abominable item songs and roles, Jalebi bai aka Mallika Sherawat is back to woo her fans to cinema halls with her performing prowess in Sanjay Khanduri’s Kismat Love Paisa Dilli. But what really shocked, surprised and shook us was the Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local director’s revelation of the leading lady’s role in his new film, that also stars Vivek Oberoi.

“Ever since she (Mallika) shot with us, she kept saying that she always wanted to have a girl-next-door image,” said Khanduri, and so he tried to help the Haryanvi hottie in the pursuit of a sweet and simple girl image through KLPD. But what he said next had us laughing our collective heads off. According to him: “Mallika was always my first choice for the film. I wanted her to look simple in the film, as it is a family entertainer.”

Mallika and simple, KLPD a family entertainer….ha ha ha! Isn’t he really pushing the limits of belief? Does Mr Khanduri genuinely think we’ll buy what he said and not realise it’s a promotional gimmick for his film? Then he’s simply mistaken! We have our justifications to support our theory.

That’s what the poster of their forthcoming film Kismet Love Paisa Dilli would like us to believe

Director Sanjay Khanduri is back after a long hiatus. His last film, the Abhay Deol-Neha Dhupia starrer Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local came out five years ago. Though it didn’t hit gold at the BO, it won Khanduri a lot of admirers. He is finally ready with his next, Kismat Love Paisa Dilli, that stars Vivek Oberoi and Mallika Sherawat, who will be sharing screen space for the first time.

The first look of KLPD is cheeky and the film seems to be a crazy one. We remember telling Khanduri that if the characters in KLPD are half as quirky and fun as those in Ek Chaalis… we will be impressed. He replied then, “Point taken.” If the poster is anything to go by, wethinks we are in for a zany ride through ‘Dilli’ and its bylanes. What amused us most was to see Vivek and Mallika sharing a vast tee that said ‘Screwed’ on it. We don’t know how or why the two are in such a ‘tight spot’ and we are eager to find out – which we will when the film releases later this year.

After trying her luck in Hollywood, Mallika Sherawat talks about her love and affection towards Bollywood

Mallika Sherawat moved to the US, thanks to her international projects, but says her heart resides in Bollywood and that people in the West are curious about the Hindi film industry. “I am more of a global actor now but Bollywood is my life. It is my bread and butter,” said Mallika here at a press conference to announce her performance at Hotel Tulip Star’s New Year’s Eve show. Mallika has made US her second home and has been there for the past two years. The actor, who was last seen in Hollywood flick Politics Of Love, asserts that the West is curious to know more about Bollywood.

About her new films, she said, “I have signed Lucky Unlucky. I am playing a Jat sprinter in it and I have signed another movie with Vivek Oberoi, Kismat Love Paisa Delhi. It will be directed by Sanjay Khanduri. Then, there is an international venture that I’m doing.”

“I’m trying to maintain a balance between both America and India. Right now there is so much curiosity in America about Bollywood and Indian actors,” said Mallika, who is in here to shoot for Khanduri’s film. The Murder girl dazzled on screen this year in item numbers Jalebi bai, Razia and Shalu ke thumke. Mallika debuted in Bollywood with a special appearance in Jeena Sirf Mere Liye and then signed Khwahish, her first film as a lead actor. Then she featured in Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Welcome. She played an Indian princess in Jackie Chan’s Chinese film The Myth.